Timber harvesting and wildlife
The Carlton County Land Department has several ongoing projects to create or improve habitat for local wildlife. We collaborate with other local natural resource management entities to make sure ecological needs are considered. All of the timber harvesting that the county administers follows the Minnesota Forest Management Guidelines.
Current management practices:
- Pursuing opportunities to create or enhance wildlife habitat
- Retaining live trees (> 6 inches DBH), snags, and dead wood to promote habitat structure after harvesting
- Checking for the presence of Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive species and modifying harvest activities accordingly
- Leaving trees in clumps around sensitive areas (seasonal ponds, cultural resources, active stick nests, etc.)
- Leaving tree species that have longevity, wildirmness, and cavity potential
- Creating Coarse Woody Debris and scattering throughout harvest area
- Keeping slash out of streams, lakes, seasonal ponds, and wetlands
- Protecting conifer regeneration when harvesting mixed deciduous coniferous stands
- Promoting diversity through planting and maintaining a mix of native trees